Thousands of manufacturing facilities and businesses are operating in residential areas, posing threats to workers as well as local residents. — Photo daidoanket.vn

HCM CITY (VNS) — Thousands of manufacturing facilities and businesses are operating in residential areas, posing threats to workers as well as local residents, city officials have said.

More than 20,000 manufacturing facilities and stores were at risk of fire, said Huynh Cong Hung, permanent member of the HCM City People's Council.

Of that figure, around 5,300 facilities operating in fuel, chemicals, footwear, textiles and garments were at high risk of fire, Hung said during the Listen and Discuss talk show on HCM City Television on Sunday.

"Local residents have expressed concern over the fire risk which could break out at any time," he said.

Ta Van Dung, who lives near Kim Bien Market in the city's District 5, voiced his concern over a long-delayed project to move the market out of town.

More than 50 households surrounding the market sold chemical substances, Dung said, adding that many households nearby were worried about a fire threat.

Moving manufacturing facilities out of residential areas was one of key measures to prevent fire, said Tran Thanh Chau, deputy director of the city's Department Fire Prevention and Control.

The department also planned to inspect facilities with a high risk of fire and proposed resettlement to authorities in charge, Chau said.

It will also work with the HCM City Power Corporation to upgrade electric wires in residential areas.

The department also asked the Sai Gon Water Corporation to repair damaged fire hydrants. In Tan Phu District alone, nearly 100 water hydrants do not work.

More than 1,000 cases of fire have been recorded in the city since January, killing 24 people and injuring 39 people. —VNS